caliboy1994

Theobroma cacao - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If any of you guys want a challenge

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barnetmill

From the Just Fruits and Exotics website
So it appears for sure that some pawpaws are native to the southeastern united states. Does not mean that a variety from new jersey will grow well in Louisiana. I do not know about miami since you did not have a good climate for temperate zone plants there. I do not consider it to be typical of the southeastern united states.

Richard

I'm sure it would be fun to grow them from seed, but there are also improved cultivars available.

Check with these folks about viability of cultivars in your area: Peterson Pawpaws | Home

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gaberoo

Here's what those folks have to say about paw-paws and Miami,FL:

Sorry. They are none that will survive in/near Miami. Much too hot and
not enough winter cold. They require cold. Why not grow the tropical
relatives, like sugar apple and atemoya?

Neal

Richard

Another perennial plant to consider: Artichokes!

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gaberoo

I'm wondering if you couldn't put something like a vine in that shady spot (though I think the leaves would eventually need to be exposed to a certain amount of sunlight) and I am thinking of kiwi or hardy kiwi (actinidia arguta). Neither of these do well in South Florida I've been told (Pine Island Nursery here in the Redlands used to carry kiwi but they discontinued it since apparently it does not do too well in this climate).
A nursery in middle/north Florida carries hardy kiwi (so apparently it does well enough in that part of the state), but they told me that the plant needs a certain amount of cold during each winter for it to successfully flower and bear fruit (a shame really since I love the fruits and the plant is, as I remember, self-fertile). Maybe you get enough cold days in the Southern California area to grow this and have it fruit?

sunfish

I believe kiwi takes a male and female plant

gaberoo

Kiwis, yes...but this particular variety, does not:Actinidia arguta ‘Issai’
“Mini Kiwi”
This vine produces the most adorable & tasty, 1”, smooth skinned fruits! There’s no need for a male vine around as it’s self-pollinating. This variety often bears the first year after planting, too. In its native habitat of Asia, Actinidia arguta can grow up trees to 100’ high. ‘Issai’ is much more polite, growing to around 12’ high. It prefers sun to part shade, average water & well-drained soil. The flowers are fragrant but inconspicuous. I think this vine is worth growing for its nice foliage alone. The fruits are an added bonus!
Kelly Kilpatrick
Horticulturalist

Richard

There are a number of articles by Roger Meyer regarding the taste and culture of Kiwis. In all the tastings I've done of Kiwis at CRFG events the Issai was not anyone's favorite. Grown here in San Diego, the vine will easily cover 30 feet of chain link fence in a few years. If you are going to devote that much space, there are better tasting cultivars of Kiwis to grow.

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venturabananas

Yes, they do fine here. Not sure about how much sun they need. My next door neighbor has some that cover the side of his house (and roof) facing my kitchen window. It is a very attractive, deciduous vine. Unfortunately, it gets way too big for the small spot I have in mind.

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venturabananas

Yep, I'd thought of them, too. I might try them in a different spot where their greenish-blue foliage fits the theme better, out by the curb where we have a bunch of lavender. Nice looking plants for sure. They do well in the shade in my neighborhood.

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venturabananas

I like this idea. I think the early varieties of southern blueberries would produce fruit before the spot becomes completely shady. And from what I read, it sounds like the "Evergreen Huckleberry", Vaccinium ovatum, would do well with sun or shade, and it is a nice-looking everygreen shrub with edible fruit. Have any of you eaten it? Is it worth growing for food? I know the Native Americans traditionally ate it, but they didn't have a vast array of improved cultivars of other tasty fruit to choose from!

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Richard

The southern blueberries, Calif. huckleberries, and artichokes would appreciate partial shade during your summers.

The blueberries -- regardless of hybrid will fruit early enough due to your relatively temperate winter. For flavor, SharpsBlue is the standard and it is self-fertile. O'Neill's is another good pick. Most of the varieties that fruit earlier or later were bred for that feature.

The Calif. evergreen huckleberries have a moderate growth rate if fed regularly and otherwise are slow growers. What a great plant. In the early years the fruits are small but with maturity the fruit size is a bit larger than a pea but smaller than the larger blueberry fruits. I keep saying "Calif. huckleberries" because the name "huckleberry" is used worldwide for a variety of Vaccinium fruits including bilberries and cranberries. Typical native habitat for the Calif. huckleberry is on the east or west drip line of a conifer.

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barnetmill

I have a "native type" of blue berry that is growing wild on my place and the berries are the size of small peas. The problem is that the birds selectively eat these faster than a second wild type that is a bit larger. If I have a choice I go for the larger berries and if I can for other species go for red or green versus very dark or even white if it is available. The birds seem to favor attacking darker fruit. Berry loss from hungry animals and birds is a real problem.

Richard

Sounds like you need an "inverse" aviarium.

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bananimal

I once found mention about starting Steinpilz (Porcino) at home. You take a 3 x 6 piece of thick corrugated card board and coat one side with a sticky substance. Then the shroom spores are applied. Fold the cardboard in half and hang it from a wire in the shade - coated surface facing inwards.

Anybody ever done this?

bananimal

I am about to plant Imperial Star artichokes between the bananas. Should get enough shade in the hottest part of summer when the naners have full leaf out. Decided to keep them potted last year and they have good size now. Can't wait - the garlic and olive oil are waiting.

Richard

I prefer the flavor of Imperial Star over Green Globe, etc.

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bananimal

Good to know since the new heat tolerant varieties like IS are the only ones I can grow in S Fla.

Nevertheless, I will never forget those purple chokes I had at ristorante Tre Scalini in Piazza Navona, Rome. They were the best ever. So was the abbacio. Don't get me started!

barnetmill

How about flatwood plums
The fruits are described as being Since it is an understory tree it might tolerate some shade. I am thinking of getting one next fall. They can grow 20 ft high. I do not know if it needs a pollinator or not. Just Fruits and Exotics sells them. Too busy this year to clear land for planting. I turned down a free gift of east texas blackberry vines yesterday because of time issues and I already have some that I planted last year that doing ok from the same friend.
I have a wild chickasaw plum type that I purchased a few years ago for $5 from the locale county green up Santa Rosa, FL and it has really grown and the only problem is some sort of maggot that is getting in the fruit. If I picked up the fruit lying on the ground that problem would likely go away. I have planted a few other chickasaws near by for pollination. They are in flower now.